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The Doctor Museum
By: Seb Hamilton
Photos: A64
Part 1
“Haha! Phew,” breathed Peter, regaining his breath now that he and The Doctor were back in the TARDIS. “For once... I wasn’t sure we were going to make that one!”
“Of course we were going to!” Retorted The Doctor. As usual he was calmly composed and not a bit out of breath. “I’ve faced a lot worse than him and got away! Now then...”
The Doctor started dancing around the central console, flicking switches and petting the machine like some enormous puppy.
“Tell you what!” He blurted out, just as Peter was flopping down onto one of those handy chairs that had caught him so many times when the TARDIS had spun out of control. “Why not the third moon of Plantiga? Or... The Great Space Observatory of the Valorian people?”
“Space Observatory? What – in the middle of space? Why not just look out of the window?!” asked Peter. Ever since he had joined The Doctor, after meeting him that fateful day in Henriks, he had done his very best to understand the ways of the Universe.
The fact that he often didn’t know whether or not The Doctor was being serious didn’t help. Peter’s prior knowledge of Sci-Fi had not been as useful as he had perhaps hoped, but the time would come he was sure. After all, as he delighted in reminding The Doctor regularly, it was what he had picked up from Episode IV that got them out of a fight with a seven-armed Gorilla in the ‘Indra Rummi Trading Station!’
“Oh just you wait!” Laughed The Doctor, knowing what a treat Peter had in store. “Now... Crossing the inter-dimensionalisation matrixes with the central coglative communal booster, using the Hexacographical Coordinator of course...”
It was one of those times when Peter thought it best not to question whether or not The Doctor was being serious.
“You know,” said The Doctor as he continued to whack what looked like half a bass guitar built into the console, something Peter could swear he had never seen before, “there was one time when the HexacWOAH...!” The Doctor cried as the console room suddenly buckled. Then, before they could gain their footing again, the room started to sway from one side to the other as though they were at the centre of some massive earthquake.
“Don’t tell me. The Hexagraphic Interface didn’t like being utilised or something?” Shouted Peter over the painful groans of the machine.
“No... No, it’s like every distress signal receiver is suddenly getting a message and... They’re all from the same place and all pointed directly at us!”
“Well then – looks like the Observatory will have to wait.”
“Locking on...”
The great central column started to settle down, rising and falling at a more equal pace. The TARDIS stood firmer and, with a familiar thump, the room stopped moving altogether. Only the hum of the machinery remained.
“Peter... Brace yourself.” Said The Doctor. “They must have been in real trouble – I don’t know what we’ll find but... I don’t think it’s going to be nice.”
Both Peter and, for once, The Doctor steadied themselves ready for what they might find on the other side of the door...
--
“It’s him! Oh my word, it’s him!”
“Which one? Ooh – it’s the 9th isn’t it? Yes it is!”
“And – yes – Peter!”
“I’d place the clothes mid-quarter era...”
“Careful now, don’t give too much away!”
“Oh ho ho – no, no we don’t!”
“If you two are quite ready to stop babbling like a pair of excited baboons I expect – no, I know – he would like an explanation. No doubt he is wondering why he just received all those distress signals.”
“Thank you.” Said The Doctor. Finally they had a moment to take a look at their surroundings. In front of the two travellers were two old men, almost identical with their white hair, neat beards, and half-moon spectacles. However one was wearing a red shirt under his tweed jacket, and the other sported a blue one. Standing just behind them was a taller woman with striking red hair pulled up into a fashionable bun, wearing a Scientist’s coat and completing the image with a clipboard. It was she who had just spoken.
“Now then – can someone tell me what the emergency is?” Asked the Doctor.
“He’s the Doctor and I’m Peter by the way.” Added Peter.
The two men glanced at each other, began chucking in unison as though they were trying to stifle laughter, before just losing control and roaring out full belly laughs.
“Oh, oh my dear Peter! If anyone can tell you that...” One struggled to say.
“Yes, I can assure you... Introductions are quite unnecessary!” The other laughed, wiping away a tear.
“Look – you either tell me what’s going on or I’m getting back in my box and leaving.” The Doctor said, instantly taking control of the situation. Both men regained their composure, sensing perhaps that they had overstepped the mark.
“Please – Doctor, Peter – do forgive us. You see, we’ve waited so very, very long for this moment that it’s a little surreal. I’ve rehearsed it so many times in my head! Well – introductions from us then.” The one in the red top said. “I’m Mr Matthews and this is Mr Johnson. This is Professor Sara Castle. I’m afraid this time there isn’t anyone in trouble. It was Professor Castle’s specially created signals that called you here.” Said the man in the blue top.
“And ... why?!” Asked Peter.
“I’d say you, Doctor, would be flattered - but knowing you as I, sorry – we, do I know you’ll be far too modest!” Replied Mr Johnson.
“You see,” continued Mr Matthews, “we are the curators of the museum you are currently standing in. The... Doctor Museum.”
TO BE CONTINUED TOMORROW...
